The Pulpit 

Why are there bolts next to the perfect crack on the second pitch? Are those the original Beckey bolts?

"Why are there bolts next to the perfect crack on the second pitch?"

I wouldn't probably refer to that crack as "perfect". Kind of a flaring, undulating, somewhat rotten in spots, awkward crack. My bet is that at the time, the FA was trying to protect the upper part of the route without resorting to using really big angle pitons or the like, since cams hadn't been invented yet (1967).

"Are those the original Beckey bolts?"

Methinks Pat Callis placed them. Not sure if Beckey was along for the FA of the pulpit? I think they knocked this off between rain and bad weather whilst waiting to do the Great White Throne. I chatted to Pat after I had climbed it a few years back, and he said the variety of bolts indicates they were still looking for the optimum solution to anchors in the soft white rock of the GWT. His wife said something to the effect of, "are those bolts still there? They looked bad when he placed them." Too funny.

Modern climbing in Zion began in 1967 with the ascent of the Great White Thone via the Northwest Face, the first of Zion's big walls to be climbed. Prior to this ascent, the Park Service had long refused to give permission for climbing the long and steep canyon-side faces. Fred Beckey had gained permission after sending a letter to the park guaranteeing a Seattle based rescue team on call, and particulars of each of the original team member's experience: Warren Harding, Galen Rowell, Eric Bjornstadt, and Fred Beckey. By the time permission had actually been granted, the team changed to Fred Beckey and Galen Rowell and Pat Callis, who spent several days preparing the lower section, and made the first ascent on May 5-7, 1967.

Don Thompson

The transition from the slanting ledge at the P1 anchor into the P2 crack is awkward and the crack starts out with poor opportunities for gear. I didn't feel well protected until I got a sling around a small column next to a hole about 10 feet up. The crack quality improves as you go up. The four bolts on P2 seem pretty solid compared to the junky bolts on P1, but the homemade aluminum angle hangers are soft and a bit deformed. One of these P2 bolts has previously broken off. Back up the bolts with solid gear in the crack as best you can.

definitely worth the river crossing.
the bolt ladder is scary as hell. and the traverse to the crack on P2 is a little sketchy. the bottom half is sandy and a little rotten. top half is like heavenly golden niceness good gear abides the whole way, if you know what you are doing. bring an extra camalot #4. it helps. alot.
do it when it snows and then you will be BAMF

This climb is more like 120'. You need 2 ropes to descend (or 2 rappels using the intermediate anchor should work).

The books say this climb goes free at 5.11, but the bolts on the crux bolt ladder section at the start are mostly old/scary and the free line isn't right in line with them.

P1-Yes, bolts are as scary as bolts get. All of them. Lots of trouble getting biners to fit in the aluminum angle clips.
P2- Yes, the crux is getting in to the crack at the start of P2.
Top has upper(newer) anchors over the west face and lower (older) NW facing anchors(towards your gear.) I rapped all the way to ground from lower anchor with 70m.

Fun route. Wet, dusty, and cold in January but fun. River crossing is easy.

In 1992 Don Thompson replaced the first aid bolt on the bolt ladder on the Pulpit. The bolt pulled when he stood in his aiders. At the first belay ledge there was a pin and a old bolt with a broken hanger which was not inline with the belay ledge. Don added two belay bolts on pitch one, he did not trust his life to a pin and a broken aid anchor bolt . The belay anchors are solid on the first belay ledge now.

In November 1997 I climb a new route off the original line on the Pulpit. Climb the bolt ladder to the first belay ledge 5.5. from here is the crux to the main crack past a bolt. Follow the crack and bolts aid or free halfway up and than traverse a long crack across the Pulpit to a belay ledge at the end of the traverse belay your partner across the traverse some rope drag. Climb a 5.9 crack or aid to the top. The traverse takes many large nut, and a set of Tricams cams which works well across the traverse. Rap from the bolts on top down the original route. Thompson traverse 5.9 C2 .